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| Pilot arriving at Prinsendam |
After a rather rough crossing from Rome over the Mediterranean Sea, we docked, somewhat delayed, in the Port of Alicante, in the region of Valencia. Alicante must be a hotbed for marine sports, as water police had to clear the path into her dock for Prinsendam, sculls, small row boats, sailboats all seemed to be oblivious to the large ship slowly inching forward without any chance, though, to detour around these little obstacles. But, we docked without any collisions at sea happening. A long walk from the dock led past the Museum for Volvo Ocean racing, and a few of the mega yachts which participated in these prestigious ocean races, were elevated and rested high on their keels.
Even higher above the city and the harbour, topping Mt. Benacantil stand the battlements of Castillo Santa Barbara. It's foundations high upon the 720 feet hill date back to the Carthagenians.
The Phoenicians in 325 BC called the city Akra Leuka (white mountain), in the 8th century the Moorish rulers renamed it Al-Akant, and that name stuck and endured after the Spanish re-conquest in 1249.
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| City Hall |
El Cid played a historic part in the province of Valencia, when he helped to return it to Christianity after Moorish rule around 1104.
Many visitors from chillier regions of Europe chose Alicante as a winter get away starting some decades ago, with the unfortunate result, that the city was somewhat overbuilt with hotels, resorts, time shares. However, with a little effort, quaint corners can still be found inside the older part of the city.
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| Back Alley in Alicante |
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| Market Building |
The Cathedral de San Nicolas de Bari was completed in 1662. Santa Claus got himself a fine example of Spanish Baroque living quarters with this cathedral.
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| Cervantes, author of Don Quixote |
The Ayuntamiento, City Hall, dates back to 1760, and her flaxen coloured ornate facade is flanked by two towers. A visitor may enter some of the official rooms, and take in a gallery of city mayors who governed over a period of a few centuries.
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| Gallery of City mayors |
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| Alicante lunch companion |
A long Paseo, a palm tree lined sea side promenade is bordered with side walk cafes and restaurants. A wavy cobble stone design along the entire length of the promenade gives an illusion of stepping on undulating ground, a feeling which nudges one into the cafes to get relief from a feeling of slight seasickness walking over it.
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| Sea side Paseo |
Only a short stop over, long enough to meander through the City and enjoy a local specialty in a minuscule cafe in one of the many small plazas before hiking back to the ship for an early departure.
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| City Hall under Construction |
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| Ship;s dock with Prinsendam way back in the distance |
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| Alicante and her castillo |
